Barstow Unified outlines culturally responsive PBIS framework and asks parents to help reinforce expectations

Superintendent Diane Spernjic opened a parent alliance meeting by introducing district staff and invited parents to take part in district work on behavior supports.

Shanda Barela, the districts CR PBIS external coach, said CRPBIS is a framework, not a programdesigned to create safe, supportive and inclusive school environments. "CRPBIS stands for culturally responsive positive behavioral interventions and supports. It's not a program; it's a framework," Barela said.

Barela described the approach as a three-tiered system: a universal tier that sets schoolwide expectations for all students, a targeted tier for groups needing extra support, and an intensive tier for a few students needing individualized interventions. She described tools used across the districts 12 school sites: expectation matrices that list behaviors by location, acknowledgement systems (she cited a sites breakthrough card), monthly data teams, lesson plans for teaching expectations and a consistent behavior flowchart to guide staff responses.

The district uses a Tiered Fidelity Inventory (TFI) as a self-assessment tool to monitor implementation. Barela said the TFI and monthly data reviews help teams identify trends (the who, what, when and where of behaviors) and shape action plans such as retraining staff, adjusting procedures or adding monitors where needed.

Superintendent Spernjic and other staff emphasized that CRPBIS works best when families reinforce expectations at home. Spernjic encouraged parents to complete district surveys and join school teams, such as PBIS site teams or ELAC, to ensure family voice is included. She also noted the district posts a complaint/feedback QR code on its website and distributes contact information for follow-up.

The district said implementation will continue with coaching, data-driven reviews and parent outreach; staff offered to provide the presentation materials on request and to meet individually with parents who raised concerns.